seeking recommendation for Monster Cross (Richmond VA) tire pressure

I'm going to ride a mountain bike during the race, using Continental
Race King 2.2 tires, which is a pretty low profile tire, so they roll very
smoothly on pavement. From what I've read, pressuring them up near
their maximum probably won't give me the best ride, but something
lower to better absorb the impacts from the rough gravel trails. So how
much lower?

Just be careful some tubeless rims have max tire pressure ratings. Like I think for the Stan's Flows it says max tire pressure of 40 psi. But I understand that this applies when running tubeless, so if you're running tubes you can go a bit higher. (Confused yet?)